Mandana Tehrani - You've Found a Home

After your home has been cleaned from top to bottom, it’s natural to want it to stay that way. Don’t you wish you could just wave a magic wand and the place would clean itself? Unfortunately, even Harry Potter can’t manage that!

However, when you’re preparing your property for sale, you really do need to keep it clean and ready for showings. There are several ways you can make doing that a bit easier.

Try these tips:

• The one-minute rule. If a cleaning or tidying task takes you less than a minute, consider doing it right away. For example, keeping the foyer clear of clutter.
• One room a day. After you’ve cleaned and tidied your home, maintain it by focusing on just one room a day. That’s manageable for most people.
• Prioritize the floors. If you can keep the floors clean, everything else will tend to fall into place. Consider a routine where you do a quick sweep or vacuum of the floors each evening.
• Declutter as much as possible. Clutter is the enemy of cleaning! When a room is free of clutter, it’s easier to keep it clean, tidy and looking great.
• Get extras. Buy an extra mop or broom so other household members can help with the cleaning. Also, be sure to stock up on cleaning supplies so you don’t run short just before a viewing appointment.
• Hire a cleaning service. Having a professional cleaning service come once a week—or twice a week when you’re showing your property frequently—can take a lot off your shoulders. Think of it as an investment in selling your home.

Staging is all about dressing up your home so that it looks its best to buyers. This can involve anything from rearranging furniture and doing some home improvements, to painting and redecorating, to even replacing existing furnishings and other items. The goal is to make key rooms look worthy of a magazine cover!

But is it worth the effort? Can’t you just clean and tidy and, perhaps, do a little painting?

Sometimes you can — especially if your home is in high demand and likely to get multiple offers.

However, in most cases, staging can help sell your property faster and for a higher price.

In fact, studies done by the home staging industry consistently reveal that staged homes sell for an average of 5-23% above list price. (That varies, of course, depending on the local market.)

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to do extensive staging. You may, for example, be able to focus on only key rooms on the main floor — where buyers tend to form their lasting impressions — and then simply clean and declutter the other rooms.

When it comes to staging, you have many options. Each home is different and will have different staging needs.

Want to find out how staging may impact the sale of your property? Call today.

How do you find the home of your dreams within a price range you can afford?

Most buyers start by making a “wish list”. But, it’s easy to get frustrated when you have a long wish list and expect you’ll be able to find a home with every one of those features. You might, for example, have “mature backyard tree” as number 23 on your list, and become disappointed when an otherwise ideal property doesn’t have one.

But when you really think about it, your ideal home probably comes down to just three or four core characteristics. For example:

1. Nice, safe, family-oriented neighbourhood.
2. Good-sized backyard.
3. Four bedrooms and two baths.

Sure, there might be other features you were hoping for, such as “move in ready”, or that big tree, but your “big three” are the ones you really can’t do without.

So, when you’re shopping for a new home, yes, definitely make a long list of features and characteristics you desire. After all, there might be properties available on the market that check off most, if not all, of those boxes.

But also circle those three or four characteristics that are at the core of what you want. That will help make your property search much more focused and you’ll be more likely to find your next dream home.

Another advantage of coming up with your big three (or four) is that you’ll be able to quickly discover how much homes with those characteristics are selling for on today’s market. Once you know that price range, you’ll be able to talk with a mortgage advisor to pre-arrange financing. That will make your offer on that dream home even stronger.

Whatever you choose for your “big three”, I can help you find and buy that home. Call me.

Why is making a big change in life often so difficult?

According to psychologists, maintaining the "status quo" is one of the most powerful motivations we have. If things are "okay", even making a change for the better can be difficult. Our brains resist.

You may have experienced this if you’ve thought about selling your current property and finding your next dream home. Your house may be "good enough" for you now and the neighbourhood might be "okay" too. So, even if your dream is to get into a better home that's more suited to your family and lifestyle, you may be hesitant.

That's just the way the psychology works.

One way to get around this psychology is to get your dream out of your head and on to paper. Write down the kind of home you'd love to live in next. For example, you may want a detached home, with 3-bedrooms in a family-oriented neighbourhood. Also jot down the specific features and characteristics of the property and neighbourhood such as a good-sized backyard, family-size kitchen, and an easy commute to work. That will help you see the real possibilities.

Next, find out whether getting into a home like this is doable for you right now. Avoid making assumptions. Get the facts. Find out what you can expect to get for your current property, and what you'll need to spend for the new home.

If you discover that moving to your next dream home is something you can swing this year, your hesitancy will likely vanish!

I can help you get the information you need to make the best decision. Call me.

A slow real estate season is defined as a period of time that has less activity — fewer listings, fewer transactions, etc. — than other times of the year. In many areas, the slow season is in the winter, but it can be at other times as well.

The question you might be asking is, “Does it make sense to sell in a slow season?”

In most cases, the answer is yes.

Why? Consider the following:

First of all, just because there is less activity in the local market doesn’t mean the market isn’t tilted in your favour. It might, in fact, be a seller’s market, with some eager buyers just waiting for a property like yours to become available.

Also, a listing tends to stand out more when there are fewer competing properties for sale. So, if you sell now, your listing will likely get noticed.

It is also worth considering what the market might be like if you wait a few months before selling. The real estate market is notoriously difficult to predict. It might, in fact, end up being less ideal to sell a few months from now than it is today.

If you’re worried about whether your home will sell in a slow market, consider this: Properties sell all the time and in every kind of market. Yours can too.

So, the question shouldn’t be “Should I sell today?” The question you really want to ask is, “If I sell today, how much am I likely to get for my home, and how long will it likely take to sell?”

When you get those answers, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision as to whether you should sell now or later.

Call today for more information.

There are two trends impacting real estate photography that you should know about if you’re thinking of selling this year.

First, more than ever before, buyers are relying on pictures to decide whether or not to schedule a viewing. They expect to be able to go online and “tour” your home via the photography. If they don’t form a good impression of your home from the pictures, they may quickly lose interest in your listing.

Second, everyone is a photographer these days! Most people have phones with cameras, and many think they can take a decent picture.

Unfortunately, taking a “decent picture” isn’t good enough.

Your listing photos need to accomplish a lot. They must:

• give buyers the information they need: room sizes, layout, views, property details, etc;
• showcase the most enticing features of your home;
• communicate the functionality, spaciousness and style of each room;
• provide a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there; and, much more.

In short, listing photos need to help sell your property. When you consider that these pictures are often the first look-see buyers get of your home, you can appreciate how important they are.

So, don’t leave listing photos to chance. There is an art and science to taking them.

Think of it this way. If better listing photos encourage just five percent more buyers to schedule a viewing, that could result in a faster sale at a higher price.

By the way, I’m well-versed in the best practices of taking great listing photos. Call me for more information.

Is there a neighbourhood you drive through occasionally and think, “Wow. I’d love to live here. What a fantastic area”?

Why don’t you take that thought any further? Maybe you think getting into that neighbourhood just isn’t doable – at least, not right now.

Perhaps you’re worried about the home prices or the current lack of homes for sale in that area. Maybe there’s some other reason, such as the possibility of higher mortgage payments.

Of course, those are all valid concerns. But why not find out whether or not they would genuinely hold you back?

For example, if you’re wondering whether you can afford a home in that neighbourhood, you can find that out with a reasonable degree of certainty. You can:

• Get a current market value assessment so you know, approximately, what you’d likely get for your home.
• Find out the average selling price of homes in the target neighbourhood.
• Calculate what you’d be able to put down on a new home.
  • Find out how much mortgage you’ll need and what your payments would be.

Once you’ve taken a closer look at the actual numbers, you might discover that a nice home in your desired neighbourhood is within reach.

So, get the facts you need instead of assuming you can’t get into the neighbourhood you want.

The fact might be, you can!

Call today if you’d like to explore that possibility. I can help you get the facts you need.

When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You're not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.
2. Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter reduces stress and increases a sense of well-being.
3. Get everyone in your home anticipating the move in a positive way. Put pictures of your next home, including neighbourhood shots, on the fridge door. Sit together on the computer and explore your new neighbourhood's features and amenities.
4. Celebrate milestones in the selling process. For example, when you're finished preparing your property for sale, go out to celebrate. Make a checklist of milestones and how you'll celebrate each one.
5. Get the help you need. A big part of the stress of selling is the anticipated work involved. Remember, you don't have to do it all yourself. Much of what needs to be done can be handled by contractors and other professionals. 

There are many reasons why you might suddenly need to sell your home. It could be an unexpected work relocation, a change in family circumstances, or simply a desire to move.

Whatever the reason, selling quickly requires some fast action on your part. But that doesn't mean you need to get into panic mode. You can list and sell your property, quickly while still enjoying the process!

The first thing you need to do is figure out how to make your home show its best. In addition to cleaning and decluttering, that might include getting any needed repairs done, sprucing up the place by painting and perhaps even doing some minor improvements.

How much you need to "stage" your property depends on many factors, including what conditions are like in the local real estate market. For example, you may not need to make each room look like a page from a decorating magazine if you’re in a seller’s market.

So, before you start any work, talk to me about what needs to be done to make your home ready to be seen by buyers.

The next thing you’ll need to consider is the list price. Your list price is especially important if you want to sell soon. No, you don't need to low-ball your listing to attract interested buyers — in fact, doing that might actually have the opposite effect. But you do need to price your property competitively.

In addition, it's smart to line up the resources you'll need, especially if you're also buying a new home. For example: get recommendations for a real estate lawyer, contractor, mortgage advisor, cleaning service, pet daycare, etc.

I’m well-connected in the local home industry, so I can recommend you to reputable professionals I know and trust.

A final tip: If you want to sell quickly, you need to start the process now. Give me a call to get the ball rolling.

When you’re shopping for a home, you may become interested in a property for sale that someone else is also considering. In fact, there may be several other buyers entertaining the idea of making an offer.

In such a competitive situation, what should you do if you really love that home?

Obviously, you’ll need to move quickly and make some fast decisions.

Start by making certain the property fits within your price range. The last thing you want is to have an offer accepted and find out it is beyond your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrange for financing before you go home shopping.

Next, you want to make an offer that is so enticing to the sellers that they’ll put your offer at the top of the pile, if not close to it. So, what makes an offer enticing?

Obviously, price is a big factor. You want to go in at a price that’s attractive to the sellers, without overpaying. Imagine finding out later that the nearest offer to yours was $15,000 less. Ouch!

Chances are your offer price will need to be at or slightly above asking. Find out what similar homes in the area recently sold for — what real estate agents call “comparables” — and use those as a guide.

It’s also important that your offer contains few, if any, issues that may be concerning to the sellers. The ideal offer will feature:

• No conditions.
• A closing date that’s convenient for the seller.
• A deposit amount that shows you’re a serious buyer.
• Acceptance of any of the buyer’s “exclusions”. (For example, they want to take the fridge and stove with them.)
• Evidence you can get financing. (Many lenders offer a “Mortgage Pre-approval Certificate”.)

Although a “no conditions” offer is the most attractive, including a condition on passing a professional home inspection is usually not a problem, so long as the inspection is done quickly. Avoid adding other conditions, such as “subject to financing approval” or “subject to the sale of buyer’s existing property”.

If you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll find — and, more importantly, get — your next dream home, call today. 

There are two trends impacting real estate photography that you should know about if you’re thinking of selling this year.

First, more than ever before, buyers are relying on pictures to decide whether or not to schedule a viewing. They expect to be able to go online and “tour” your home via the photography. If they don’t form a good impression of your home from the pictures, they may quickly lose interest in your listing.

Second, everyone is a photographer these days! Most people have phones with cameras, and many think they can take a decent picture.

Unfortunately, taking a “decent picture” isn’t good enough.

Your listing photos need to accomplish a lot. They must:

• give buyers the information they need: room sizes, layout, views, property details, etc;
• showcase the most enticing features of your home;
• communicate the functionality, spaciousness and style of each room;
• provide a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there; and, much more.

In short, listing photos need to help sell your property. When you consider that these pictures are often the first look-see buyers get of your home, you can appreciate how important they are.

So, don’t leave listing photos to chance. There is an art and science to taking them.

Think of it this way. If better listing photos encourage just five percent more buyers to schedule a viewing, that could result in a faster sale at a higher price.

By the way, I’m well-versed in the best practices of taking great listing photos. Call me for more information.

Like most homeowners, you probably don’t think of your property as just a building with rooms and a backyard. To you, it’s much more than that. It’s a home.

When you walk into your dining room, for example, you don’t merely see the table and chairs. You see memories. You recall laughter with family and friends. It’s emotional.

That’s what a home is all about.

However, buyers don’t want to buy your “home”. What they really want to buy is a property that has the potential to become their home.

While you see memories of family dinners, they see room dimensions and what the dining room may look like with their furniture in it.

That’s why, when you’re selling your property, you need to keep emotions at bay as much as possible.

In fact, the best mindset is to think of your property as a product. The more attractively you present that product to prospective buyers, the more likely you are to get good offers.

That’s why cleaning, depersonalizing, and staging are so important.

It’s also why setting a price that aligns with your home’s current market value is important. You may have put your heart and soul — and many weekends — into landscaping the backyard to make it a summer oasis. It may, in fact, be a strong selling point of your property. But that improvement will only add to the selling price an amount that the market, not your emotions, dictates.

So keep emotions out of the selling process as much as possible. Save that energy for turning your next property into your dream home.

Want more tips on selling your property for the best price possible? Call today.